Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Friday, January 2, said he will intensify his fight against corruption in 2026, invoking the Year of the Fire Horse as a moment to “turn up the heat” while expressing hope that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will show the same resolve.
In a statement, Lacson said the Filipino people expect no less from their leaders, noting that citizens have become more awake and angry after learning how their hard-earned tax money was plundered.
“On a personal note, I thank 2025 for bringing me back all my staff that I left behind in 2022, plus a few assets more. With renewed tenacity and hard work, I am even more encouraged to expose more corruption issues that are similar to what has become the most blatant and unprecedented misuse and abuse of the national budget since I left the Senate three years ago,” Lacson said.
“With a more awakened and angrier citizenry who have never been exposed before to more detailed acts of corruption and plunder of their hard-earned tax money, our national leaders have to brace themselves to address more corruption issues in 2026,” he added.
Lacson returned to the Senate in mid-2025 after securing a new mandate in the midterm elections, resuming a central role in legislative oversight.
The lawmaker previously detailed alleged plunder through substandard and ghost flood control projects by delivering two privilege speeches and presiding over hearings of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
“I am looking forward to being actively involved again, along with my team of like-minded individuals with renewed vigor and courage to contribute our share in informing the public through our investigations and research work in ways we know best,” Lacson said of his expectations for 2026.
The lawmaker also voiced hope that the President would remain firm against corruption.
“I hope the President will not waver in his remaining years in office. I thought the momentum was already on his side with his famous ‘Mahiya naman kayo!’ SONA remark. Unfortunately, the Filipino people’s perception has not been kind to him, as what the latest surveys have indicated,” Lacson said.
